THE much-anticipated opening ceremony saw one of five, giant illuminated stars fail to change into a circle in while an earlier segment claimed television was a Russian achievement.

The Olympic Park during the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (Photo: REUTERS)

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THE Winter Olympics got off to a disappointing start yesterday when one of the iconic rings broke during the much-anticipated opening ceremony.

A technical hitch at Russia’s Fisht Stadium in Sochi saw one of five, giant illuminated stars fail to change into a circle - ruining the famous symbol.

The huge structures had been suspended from the roof of the stadium and were lit up with pyrotechnics at a crucial point just 20 minutes in to the live show.

But organisers quickly scrapped the feature when the blunder became apparent and quickly moved on with the show.

An earlier segment had already caused confusion for Scottish viewers when a video showcasing Russia’s contributions to the world of science, music, literature, arts and dance seemed to claim the television as one of their top achievements.

During a video taking viewers through the Russia’s alphabet a row of TV screens appeared next to the letter T and a picture of Russian-American inventor and engineer Vladimir Zworykin.

But Scots commentator Hazel Irvine was quick to reassure viewers that the achievement still belonged to her home country.

Immediately after the clip finished, she said: “Just in case you were wondering, yes Vladimir Zworykin was indeed one of the early pioneers of television, but it was a Scotsman who actually first transmitted moving images in the 1920s.”

But viewers had already taken to Twitter to voice their confusion.

Elliot Davis wrote: “I thought Baird invented the TV? According to Sochi opening ceremony Russia did. That and the famous four rings Olympic Symbol.”

Elizabeth Eichen Tweeted: “Did Russia just claim to have invented the TV? #liarliarpantsonfire.”

Bradley Cooper wrote: “Love the mention by @BBCWorld that it wasn’t the Russians that invented the TV half way through the opening ceremony #Sochi2014 #SochiFail.”